Mr. John Maniscalco of DEC’s Crustaceans Section reported to the Council on a new program offered by the Department to help commercial lobster fishermen who must comply with new federal rules that certain sections of lobster gear line must be made of sinking line, rather than floating/neutrally buoyant line.  These rules were adopted to minimize the possibility of endangered Atlantic right whales becoming entangled in commercial lobster gear.  The Department has received grant money which will be used to offer vouchers to fishermen who turn in old floating line.  The vouchers would be good towards the purchase of the required sinking line. DEC estimates that about 30 fishermen are eligible for this program.

 

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